“Time. You are bound by it but cannot control it. It’s moving at a constant but often appears faster or slower. Sometimes you don’t have enough time, sometimes too much time on your hands. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, or your societal class, we are all affected by time and you can’t buy more,” says KOALA on the concept of their debut EP, Wasting Time.
Perhaps, as the band suggests, time is simply a reminder that we are all getting older.
As a whole, Wasting Time showcases KOALA’s blend of driving bass and drum grooves with organ-like guitar fuzz, channelling Humbug-era Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age.
Alfie Crabtree
Opening with You, pulsating drums and rumbling bass lines create a solid foundation for the intertwining melodies of the guitar before Chris Hillman’s Miles Kane-esque vocals kick in. The track has an infectious energy that gets under your skin immediately with a sense of foreboding curated through a series of funky distorted effects.
Written by Cy Walker, the opening number documents his personal mental health struggles, and was the first song he penned alone, describing it as ‘internal therapy’. He said: “You discusses my own mental health and knowing that things aren’t right in my own head but feeling too scared of the truth to seek help. It was written around the time I realised that I should look to gain a diagnosis for ADD/ADHD, and was for myself a sort of internal therapy.”
Title track, Wasting Time, is vocalised by Cy, focusing on the inevitable consequences of not making the most of your time. It exemplifies the band’s ability to create a brooding atmosphere which bleeds through the record, characterised by pulling the bass into the forefront of the song and making it a real focal point.
Cy added: “Having always had a bit of an obsession with groovy basslines, we have tried to take the bass out of the background and bring it to the fore so that each song packs enough punch to make you move your body.”
The lyrics delve into the complexities of wasted moments and the relentless passing of time, while haunting guitar tones and the gritty vocal delivery create a sense of urgency. It’s great to see KOALA adopt a chameleon-like approach, with Chris and Cy’s alternating vocals making for an intriguing dynamic, showcasing their versatility and complementing the song’s themes of self-reflection and introspection.
The pace picks up further for Waiting For, maintaining the EP’s underlying intensity. The tight rhythm section of Jack Hilditch’s drums and Cy Walker’s driving bassline provides a solid backbone.
Penultimate Throw exhibits KOALA’s knack for crafting infectious hooks, with catchy guitar riffs and memorable vocal melodies. The band’s influences shine through here, with echoes of Queens of the Stone Age’s and psychedelic nods to The Last Shadow Puppets.
Speaking on the track, Chris said: “Penultimate Throw was written, rehearsed all within a week. We couldn’t not do it – it was too good.
“These tracks were written in the moment and it all felt quite easy and natural for us. We knew the direction which we wanted to move in and over the year it all took shape. For us sometimes less is more, we’ve found our sound and not over complicated what we do.”
The final track, Time Won’t Wait, retains the swagger that KOALA are renowned for, and serves as a fitting conclusion to the EP. Their fusion of driving rhythms, atmospheric guitar work, and captivating vocals creates a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh while their conceptualisation is all-consuming. This is music you feel in your gut.
Recorded in collaboration with Dan at Tremolo Studios, the EP reflects their artistic vision, allowing listeners to experience the raw energy and tight musicianship that KOALA delivers on stage, as seen at Lymelight Festival and The Underground, making Wasting Time a must-listen for fans of alt-rock.
Listen to Wasting Time by KOALA here:
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